about 1650 / before 1653 in Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts to Sarah, whose parents are not known. She was said to be born circa 1630 of Weymouth, Norfolk, England. and died bef 1708, Swansea, Massachusetts, aged 78 (151)(link4)

11 children of John Butterworth and Sarah include:

Capt. John Butterworth was born on 8 Sep 1651 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA. (954) He died on 20 Mar 1731 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA.(955) (956). He married Hannah Wheaton. (957)(958)

Sarah Butterworth was born on 28 May 1653 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA. (971) She died about 1702 in MA.(972). She married William Hayward. (973) (974)

Benjamin Butterworth was born on 31 Oct 1672 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA. (936) He died in 1711 in MA.(937) He married Huldah Hayward (938)

Notes for John Butterworth

John Butterworth was a Baptist, and one of the seven founders of the first Baptist church in MA, and the second in America, at Rehoboth. It was later moved to Swansey, because the court fined them for having these services, and not paying taxes to the established church. (Source: NEHGR, Vol. 1 and 2).

John's uncle, Samuel Butterworth came over before John. He became a freeman at Rehoboth 3 JUL 1652, and received land 22 JUN 1658. He had moved there by 1662. In 1663, the Baptist Church was organized in John's home, and met there regularly. He became a long time deacon.

Rehoboth did not want Baptists, so John Butterworth and others received permission to start a new town, Swanzey, named after Swanzey, Wales. He and four others were in charge of admitting inhabitants, disposing of lands, and soing other affairs of the town. On 16 MAR 1677, John was given the job of distributing relief from Ireland to help sufferers in the Indian war. He was constable in 1685. (NEHGR)